Staying Happy: Things to do away with.

The ability of letting go doesn’t imply weakness, sometimes, it just means you’re strong and smart enough to let go. There are times in our lives we realize the changes we need to make; possibly, our lifestyle, environments and even relationships no longer serve our best interests or they just don’t fit into our lives anymore. This doesn’t necessarily mean that memories are not being cherished, but the need to let go of the past and start a new beginning is needed.

Trust me, I know how difficult/challenging it can be to give up what you’ve been used to for a while. No matter how little it may seem, letting go what’s familiar is somewhat difficult. To be happy, there are certain things you must give up.

Worrying and Overthinking

Worrying doesn’t fix problems, it aggravates them instead. Life is too short to let problems that will surely find its way take your precious life. Stop overthinking everything. Of course, thinking is necessary, you should even think before you speak. But then, thinking and thinking about your problems will not provide solutions. Worrying doesn’t take away troubles, it takes away peace and potential.

The thought of not having what it takes.

Life will surely hit you hard with challenges and difficulties, but you shouldn’t choose to be left where life has thrown you. It’s not about how hard life has hit you, but how determined you are not to give up. You have what it takes to stay happy.

Pessimism (Negative thoughts & speech)

Most people talk about their problems every time, it even seems like an addiction. These frequent negative talks don’t even bring forth solutions. A lot of people don’t even see anything good about them (they don’t even want to), they keep proclaiming negative things and then at the end, wonder why things are worse. There’s power in what we say, please be careful. It’s not what you say or do, but how it is done, it’s not how your life is, but how you live it.

Comparing yourself to others

I discussed this extensively in this post. Sometimes, we even compare our behind-the-scenes circumstances with everyone’s public highlight heel, this is so unfair. Follow your path and not anyone else’s. Live your own dream.

Allowing the judgments of others control your life

You should do what’s best for your life and not what’s best for others. People will definitely have things to say and you might be tempted to follow their path (well, its fine if it is really want will make you happy). The thing is these people know the obvious things about you, your name and other things you tell them, but they can’t possibly know how and what you’ve really been through, don’t allow what they think or say control your life. Make your decisions and stand by them.

Procrastination

This has also been discussed in one of the late posts, here. Every day and every time is for a purpose (to make the best out of it). Each day, there are 86,400 seconds, how well do you maximize this? Invest in your time, doing the right things and it will appreciate you sooner or later. Do not postpone what should be done now, such opportunity might not be available anymore.

Pride

This is one of the greatest enemy of happiness. Sop judging everyone and everything, there’s a difference between stating your opinion and saying things to hurt someone, just because you think you’re better off. “A proud person is always looking down on things and other people; and of course as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something beautiful that is above you”- C.S LEWIS.

Ingratitude

You will have a hard time ever being happy if you are not grateful for the good things present in your life right now. When you cloud your mind with your problems, you will end up missing the beauty of what you do have. To stay happy, you should be grateful for the good things in your life and for being alive, this gives room for better things to come.

Doubt

You have a vision/dream, you’re on the path to fulfilling it and then you start to wonder how possible the vision will come into reality, then you begin to doubt, even after taking a step, this can’t amount to happiness, it will only leave you bitter. Doubt is likely to occur, especially in the course of making great efforts, but do not let it.

When the wrong things are stopped, the right things are given the chance to begin. So, is there any habit or thought that has been making you unhappy? Please, share if you’d like to, in the comment section. Thanks.

Hi, I’m Tinuke

A Nigerian Postgraduate student at the University of Ibadan. I'm an aspiring Fashion Designer and a Saxophonist sharing what inspires me in career, life, faith and health, all in a bid to inspire people to live a purposeful life and have a healthy fun in the process.

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.